Multicoil solenoid assembly

ABSTRACT

An assembly is provided which includes a housing for receiving a plurality of solenoids in mounting relationship therewithin. The housing is constructed in such a manner that the solenoids, when mounted therein are electrically independent one from another and are each adapted to be independently operated. Each of the solenoids includes a coil and a core plunger, the latter being actuated when the coil is energized. The solenoids are mounted in staggered relationship within the housing with the terminal pins of each solenoid protruding through openings provided therfor in one end wall of the housing, and with a portion of the core plunger of each solenoid passing through and being movable relative to an opening provided for this purpose in the other end wall of the housing. In its preferred embodiment, the assembly is designed to be readily mounted on a printed circuit card with the individual terminal portions passing through the printed circuit card and being soldered thereto.

United States Patent [191 11] 3,800,257 Schmitt Mar. 26, 1974 MULTICOIL SOLENOID ASSEMBLY [75] Inventor: Clifford G. Schmitt, Canaan, Conn. [57] ABSTRACT [73] Assignee; Bicmn Eiectmnics Company, An assembly is provided which includes a housing for Canaan, Conn receiving a plurality of solenoids in mounting relationship therewithin. The housing is constructed in such a Filed: P 1973 manner that the solenoids, when mounted therein are [21] ApplrNo; 349,069 electrically independent one from another and are each adapted to be independently operated. Each of the solenoids includes a coil and a core plunger, the U-S- Cll latter being actuated when the coil is energized The [5 Int. Clolenoids are mounted in taggered relationship of Search the housing the terminai pins of each Solenoid 335/266 268 protruding through openings provided therfor in one end wall of the housing, and with a portion of the core [56] References Cited plunger of each solenoid passing through and being UNITED STATES PATENTS movable relative to an opening provided for this pur- 3,102,974 9/1963 Williams, Jr. 335/266 x P in the other end Wall of the housing- In its P 3,3s9,35s 6/1968 Schroeder, Jr 335/268 x rr m odiment, the assembly is designed to be 3,460.082 8/1969 Stone t 335/278 readily mounted on a printed circuit card with the in- 3,5 l,255 5/1 71 Cannon 335/255 dividual terminal portions passing through the printed 3,609,610 9/1971 Flentge 335/278 Primary Examiner-George Harris circuit card and being soldered thereto.

8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 1 MULTICOIL SOLENOID ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It has long been known in the prior art to employ the movement of the plunger of a solenoid as the means of mechanically transmitting a force of sufficient magnitude to cause actuation of different types of switching means. More particularly, the movement of the solenoid plunger has been employed most often either to impart movement to a movable contact support member thereby to cause one or more pairs of electrical contacts to open or close, or to cause the pivotal or longitudinal movement of a member whereby to move the latter between a first and a second operative position thereof.

For many applications, it is necessary that a plurality of solenoids be utilized in order to provide the desired number of switching functions. When so required the plurality of solenoids have been provided either in the form of a plurality of solenoids each having its own separate housing or in the form of a plurality of solenoids all of which are embodied in some type of common housing.

It is commonly required when a plurality of solenoids are being employed as a unit, that the coils and plungers thereof be suitably arranged so as to be electrically and mechanically independent of each other. ln this connection, there resides an advantage in the approach which involved the utilization of a separate housing for each solenoid inasmuch as such a mode of construction facilitates achieving the desired degree of independence between individual solenoids. On the other hand, there are several major disadvantages inherent in the use of this approach. One such disadvantage is the cost of providing each separate solenoid with its own independent housing both from the standpoint of manufacturing all these housings as well as the cost of assembling the solenoids in the housings. A second and frequently a more important disadvantage of the aforereferenced approach is the amount of space that must be provided in order to physically accommodate a plurality of solenoids when each solenoid has its own housing. For example, in many instances it has been found that although it would be otherwise possible from the standpoint of ensuring the electrical and mechanical indperidence desired, to space the switching means, which are to be actuated by the solenoid plunger, close together thereby to achieve economies in the amount of space being utilized, the spacing that the housings of the solenoids require limits how close together the plungers of the solenoids can be positioned, and therefore prohibits the close spacing of the switching means which would be preferred.

Similarly, there are inherent advantages and disadvantages to the use of a common housing, as a mounting means for a plurality of solenoids for those applicause of a common housing provides advantages both with regard to cost and the amount of space required therefor as compared to the use of separate housings. Heretofore, however, a disadvantage of using the common housing vis-a-vis using separate housing has been that it is more difficult with the former to provide the desired electrical and mechanical independence between individual solenoids than with the latter.

Consequently, there has existed in the prior art a need to provide a mounting means which would be capable of accommodating therein a plurality of solenoids, and which would possess both the advantages insofar as concerns cost and the amount of space required thereby which inherently is provided when a common housing is employed and the advantage with regard to achieving electrical and mechanical independence between solenoidsv which exist when separate housings are employed.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved assembly embodying a plurality of solenoids which are intended to be employed as a unit to accomplish a plurality of switching operations.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide such an assembly wherein a plurality of solenoids are embodied in a common housing whereby to provide an assembly which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.

It is another object of the present invention to provide such an assembly wherein a plurality of solenoids are embodied in a common housing whereby to provide an assembly which is relatively compact thereby requiring only a minimal amount of space for its use.

A further object of the present invention is to provide such an assembly wherein although a plurality of solenoids are embodied in a common housing, electrical and mechanical independence is nevertheless still maintained between each of the solenoids mounted therein.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide such an assembly wherein a plurality of solenoids are embodied in a common housing and the housing comprises the magnetic circuit for all of the individual solenoids.

SUMMARY OF THE lNVENTlON lt has now been found that the foregoing and related objects can be readily obtained in a multicoil solenoid assembly which is particularly adapted for use in those types of applications wherein it is required to employ a plurality of solenoids which are associated together as a unit in order to provide a means which has the capability of accomplishing the desired number of switching operations. The assembly includes at least a pair of solenoid units and a housing means for receiving the pair of solenoid units in mounting relation therewithin. The solenoid units each include a coil having mounted thereon terminal means which are externally accessible, and a core plunger which is suitably supported within the coil for movement relative thereto. The pair of solenoid units are supported in the housing means in such a manner that the terminal means of each of the solenoid units passes through and is externally accessible from one of the end walls of the housing means and the head of the core plunger of each of the solenoid units passes through and is movable relative to the other end wall of the housing means.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, the multicoil solenoid assembly embodies eight solenoid units arranged in staggered relation in two layers of four each. The housing means is of two part construction and is formed of a magnetic metal material whereby the housing means comprises the magnetic circuit for all eight of the solenoid units. More particularly, the housing means includes a gener ally rectangularly shaped case having one open end wall, and a plurality of suitably spaced openings provided in the opposite end wall thereof. The latter openings are suitably arranged so that the spacing therebetween corresponds to the spacing which exists between the core plunger when the solenoid units are supported in the case. In addition, these openings are dimensioned so as to correspond to the diameter of the rodlike portions of the core plunger whereby the latter portion is capable of passing therethrough and of moving relative thereto. The open end of the case is closed by a closure member having a plurality of slots provided therein. The slots are formed in a staggered pattern to receive therein the terminal means of the solenoid units. Consequently, the slots are spaced so as to correspond to the spacing provided between the pairs of terminal pins which comprise the terminal means of the solenoid units, when the latter units are supported in the case, whereby to render the aforementioned terminal pins externally accessible so that an electrical connection can be made thereto. In addition, the case is preferably provided with a flange portion which extends outwardly from one of the long side wall portions of the case adjacent to the closed end wall thereof. This flange portion is provided with a pair of spaced openings adapted to receive suitable fastening means for mounting the assembly'to a suitable support.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multicoil solenoid assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a multicoil solenoid assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention;

.FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a multicoil solenoid assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of a multicoil solenoid assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention illustrated with parts broken away for purposes of clarity of illustration and depicting a portion of the housing means and one of the solenoid units embodied therein; and

FIG. 5 is an exploded side elevational view of a multicoil solenoid assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention illustrating the case, one of the solenoid units which is'supported in the case, and the closure member which closes the open end wall of the case.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, and particularly FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, there is illustrated therein a multicoil solenoid assembly, generally designated by reference numeral 10, constructed in accordance with the present invention and including a plurality of solenoid units 12. The solenoid units 12 are supported in a houscal construction, for purposes of providing herein an understanding of the present invention it is only deemed necessary to set forth hereinafter a description of one of the solenoid units 12. Thus,-referring particularly to FIGS; 2, 4 and 5 of the drawings, it can be seen therefrom that each of the solenoid units 12 includes a coil 16 and a core plunger 18. The coil 16 of solenoid unit 12 consists ofa plurality of turns of a suitably sized wire 20 which is wound upon the spool 22. The spool 22 which is formed from a suitable insulating material has a tubular center portion 24 at each end of which a flange portion 26 and 28, respectively, each having a greater diameter than the center portion 24, is integrally formed therewith.

The flange portion 26 as depicted in the drawings, includes a cylinderically shaped hub-like member 30 extending outwardly from and integrally formed with the flange portion 26. The hub-like member 30 has a ho]- low interior 30a, the diameter of which is slightly larger than-the external diameter of the rod-like portion 32 of the core plunger 18 whereby to enable the rod-like portion 32 to be received therein and to be movable relative thereto. The external diameter 30b of the hub-like member 30 is dimentioned such that the hub-like member 30 is received in an opening 34, in a-manner yet to be described, provided for this purpose in the housing means 14. The other flange portion 28 of the spool 22 has a central opening 36 provided therein, the internal diameter of which is-slightly larger than the external diameter of boss 38, reference to which will be had more fully hereinafter, thereby to enable the boss 38 to be received within the opening 36. In addition, the flange portion 28 is provided with an external projection 40 formed integrally therewith along a section of the circumference of the outer side surface thereof. The projection 40 functions as a support means for a pair of terminal pins 42 which are suitably mounted in a pair of openings (notshown) provided for this purpose-in the projection 40. The projection 40 and the terminal pins 42 supported therein comprise a terminal means whereby an electrical connection can be made through the terminal pins '42 to the wire 20 which is wound on the spool 22 and which has its ends connected in a conventional manner to one end of the pins 42.

As best understood with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4 of the drawings, the housing means 14 is of two-part construction and consists of a case 44 and a closure member 46. The case 44 is of generally rectangular configuration and is provided with an open end 48 and a closed end wall 50. Moreover, the case 44 is also provided with a flange 52 which extends outwardly perpendicularly from one side wall of thecase 44 adjacent enclosed end wall 50 thereof. The flange 52 is preferably formed integrally with the aforementioned side wall and has a lesser length than the latter side wall. In addition, in accord with the preferred embodiment of the invention, a pair of openings 54 are formed in the flange 52 in suitably spaced relation whereby to be capable of receiving a pair of fastening means (not shown) for purposes of mounting the multicoil solenoid assembly on a suitable support. The closed end wall 50 of the case 44 has formed therein a plurality of openings 34, the latter having been referred to previously hereinabove. In accord with the preferred embodiment of the invention, the end wall 50 of the case 44 of the multicoil solenoid assembly 10 is provided with eight such openings 34. More specifically, the number of openings 34 is selected to correspond to the number of solenoid units 12 which are embodied in the multicoil solenoid assembly IOLEach of the openings 34 as noted above is dimensioned so as to be capable of receiving therein the hub-like member 30 of one of the solenoid units 12. Further, the diameter of the openings 34 aresuch that although the rod-like portion 32 of the core plunger 18 is capable of movement therein, the head 56 of the core plunger 18 is of a greater diameter whereby the core plunger 18 is prevented from passing entirely through the end wall 50.

Referring further to FIG. 2 of the drawings, it can be seen therefrom that the rim portion ofthe case 44 which defines the open'end 48 thereof is comprised of a plurality of cut-away portions which serve to thereby provide a plurality of alternately formed notches 58 and projections 60. The latter notches 58 and projections 60 cooperate with similar notches 62 and projections 64 which are formed along the circumference of the closure member 46. More particularly, the notches 58 of the case 44 are dimensioned so that the projections 64 of the closure member 46 are receivable therein with a frictional fit and the notches 62 of the closure member 46 are dimensioned so that the projections 60 of the case 44 are receivable therein with a frictional fit.

Turning now to a consideration of the method of assembly of the multicoil solenoid assembly 10, the eight solenoid units 12 are each inserted in turn into the case 44 in such a manner that the hub-like portions 30 thereof are received in the openings 34 provided therefor in the closed end wall 50 of the case 44. More particularly, beginning at the right side of the multicoil solenoid assembly 10 as viewed in FIG. 2 of the drawings, the first solenoid unit 12 is inserted into the case 44 so that the terminal pins 42 of the solenoid unit 12 are positioned adjacent to the lower side wall of the case 44. The next, i.e., second solenoid unit 12 as best understood with reference to FIG. 1 of the drawings is inserted into the case 44 in such a manner that the terminal pins 42 of the second solenoid unit 12 are positioned adjacent to the upper side wall of the case 44 as viewed with reference to FIG. 1 of the drawings. Thereafter, each of the six remaining solenoid units 12 are positioned in the case 44 so that the terminal pins 42 of these latter solenoid units 12 are also alternately positioned adjacent to the lower side wall and the upper side wall, respectively, of the case 44. With all of the solenoid unts 12 so mounted in the case 44, the open end of the latter is closed by the closure member 46 thereby to secure the solenoid units 12 in place within the case 44. To accomplish this latter assembly, the closure member46 is placed in engagement with the open end 48 of the case 44 so that notches 58 and projections 60 of the case 44 mate, i.e., frictionally interengage with the projections 64 and notches 62, respectively, of the closure member 46. In addition, as the closure member 46 is brought into engagement with the open end 48 of the case 44, the bosses 38 formed on the closure member 46, which correspond in number to the number of solenoid units 12 embodied in the multicoil solenoid assembly 10 are each received in the openings 36 provided therefor in each of the solenoid units 12. Thus, with the bosses 38 inserted into the openings 36 of the solenoid units 12, each of the solenoid units 12 as best understood with reference to FIG. 4 of the drawings is captured between the closed end wall 50 of the case 44 at one end and the closure mem- I ber 46 at the other end. Any suitable securing means (not shown) such as an adhesive may be utilized for purposes of securing the closure member 46 to the open end 48 of the case 44. Finally, as most clearly understood with reference to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the depth of the notches 62 of the closure member 46 are made sufficiently deep such that the projections 40 of the solenoid units 12 are captured between the bottom of the notches 62 of the closure member 46 and the corresponding lower or upper side wall of the case 44 and with each set of the terminal pins 42 of the solenoid units 12 projecting outwardly of the closure member 46 whereby to be externally accessible for purposes of making an electrical connection thereto,

With all eight of the solenoid units 12 mounted within the case 44 whereby the core plungers 18 thereof extend through the openings 34 in the closed end wall into the corresponding coils 16 of the solenoid units 12, and whereby closure member 46 is secured to the open end 48 so that the terminal pins 42 are externally accessible, the multicoil solenoid assembly in its thus described assembled condition is mountable to a support by means of fasteners (not shown) inserted through the openings 54. In accord with the intended mode of operation of the multicoil solenoid assembly 10, the latter is adapted to be mounted to a suitable support in such a manner that the heads 56 of the core plungers 18 of the solenoid units 12 are capable of movement between first and second positions relative to some form of switching means (not shown) whereby to function as the means for activating the switching means between open and closed circuit condition. In addition, the multicoil solenoid assembly 10 is mounted so that the terminal pins 42 are suitable located to enable electrical connections to be made thereto. More particularly, in accordance with one intended method of use of the multicoil solenoid assembly 10, the latter is employed in association with a printed circuit board (not shown) wherein the multicoil solenoid assembly 10 is mounted on to printed circuit board with the terminal pins 42 passing through the printed circuit board and being soldered thereto. Movement of the core plungers 18 occurs as a result of the energization of the coils 16 into which the plungers 18 are inserted. More specifically, when the coils 16 are deenergized, the extent to which the rod-like portions 32 of the core plunger 18 are inserted into the coils l6 defines a first position of the heads 56 of the core plungers l8, i.e., the distance to which the heads 56 are spaced from the external surface of the closed end wall 50, and when the coils 16 are energized the extent to which the rod-like portions 32 of the core plungers 18 are inserted into the hollow interiors 30a defines a second position of the heads 56. The movement of the heads 56 between the aforereferenced first and sec- I (not shown). Inasmuch as the solenoid units 12 are mounted within the case 44 so as to be mechanically and electrically in dependent of each other, the coils 16 of the solenoid units 12 are adapted to be energized and deenergized separately through selective application of electrical power to the terminal pins 42 thereof whereby a given core plunger 18 can be causedto move thereby to cause actuation of a switching means. Further, as noted previously, the housing means 14 comprising the case 44 and the closure member 46 are formed of a magnetic metal material whereby the housing-means 14 comprises the magnetic circuit for all eight of the solenoid units 12 supported within the case 44.

Although only one embodiment of a multicoil solenoid assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention has been shown in the drawings and described hereinabove, it is to be understood that modifications in the construction thereof may be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the essence of the invention. In this connection, some of the modifications which can be'made in the multicoil solenoid assembly 10 have been alluded to hereinabove while others will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art when exposed to the present description and illustration of the multicoil solenoid assembly 10. In this regard, although the multicoil solenoid assembly 10 has been described and illustrated as embodying eight solenoid units, it is to be understood that a greater or lesser number of units could be embodied in the case 44 without departing from the essence of the invention. Similarly, as depicted in the drawings, the eight solenoid units 12 are arranged in two rows of four units each. However, the solenoid units 12, if so desired, could also be supported relative to each other to provide a different arrangement.

Moreover, in accord with the preferred embodiment of the invention, the case 44 and the closure member 46 are preferably made of sintered powder iron, but they could also be die cast, sand cast, cast from a solid block of metal, etc., without departing from the essence of the invention. It should be noted however that there are several advantages which are derived from employing the specific structural construction for the multicoil solenoid assembly 10, which has been described hereinabove and is illustrated in the drawings. For example, by arranging the solenoid units 12 in the case 44 in the manner shown in the drawings, it is possible to utilize solenoid units 12 which are identical in construction thereby simplifying the assembly thereof in the case 44,

as well as providing economy ofmanufacture and facilitating parts replacement. Furthermore, the arrangement of the solenoid units 12 in two rows of four each provides a highly desired compact assembly, and facili-' tates achieving the desired mecanical and electrical independence between the solenoid units 12. ln addition, the housing means 14 of the multicoil solenoid assembly 10, is capable of being employed as the magnetic cirucit for all of the solenoid units 12.

Thus, it can be seen that the present invention provides a novel and improved multicoil solenoid assembly which embodies a plurality of solenoid units that are intended to be mounted as a unit to accomplish a plurality of switching operations. The multicoil solenoid assembly of the present invention comprises an assembly wherein a plurality of solenoid units are employed in a common housing whereby to provide an assembly which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and assemble. Moreover, in accord with the present invention, a multicoil solenoid assembly has been provided embodying a plurality of solenoid units which is relatively compact requiring only minimal amount of space for its use. The multicoil solenoid assembly of the present invention furthermore provides an assembly wherein mechanical and electrical indepence is maintained between the plurality of solenoid units embodied therein. In addition, in the multicoil solenoid assembly of the present invention, the housing thereof comprises the magnetic circuit for all of the individual solenoid units.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

1. A multicoil solenoid assembly comprising:

a. a plurality of solenoid units each operable to cause a switching function to occur and each including a coil having terminal means formed thereon and a core plunger supported in said coil for movement relative thereto between a first operating position when said coil is energized and a second operating position when said coil is deenergized whereby performance of the switching function is controlled through movement of said core plunger; and

b a common housing means having a pair of end walls between which said plurality of solenoid units are supported together as a unit with said plurality of solenoid units beingmechanically and electrically independent of each other and with said terminal means of said plurality of solenoid units passing through one of said pair of end walls of said housing means whereby to be externally accessible to enable electrical connections to be made to said terminal means and with said core plunger of said plurality of solenoid units passing through and being movable relative to the other of said pair of end walls of said housing means.

.2. The multicoil solenoid assembly as set forth in claim ll wherein said plurality of solenoid units consists of eight solenoid units arranged in two rows of four each whereby said terminal means and said core plungers of said eight solenoid units are arranged in a staggered pattern.

3. The multicoil solenoid assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said housing means is of two-part construction comprising a case and a closure member each formed of a magnetic metal material whereby said housing means comprises the magnetic circuit for all of said plurality of solenoid units.

4. The multicoil solenoid assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said case includes a flange portion extending outwardly perpendicularly from said case and having a pair of spaced openings formed therein employable for mounting the multicoil solenoid assembly to a support.

5. A multicoil solenoid assembly comprising: a. a plurality of solenoid units each operable to cause a switching function to occur and each including a coil having terminal means formed thereon and a core plunger supported in said coil for movement relative thereto between a first operating postition when said coil is energized and a second operating position when said coil is deenergized whereby performance of the switching function is controlled through movement of said core plunger; and

b. a common housing means supporting said plurality of solenoid units together as a unit therein with said plurality of solenoid units being mechanically and electrically independent of each other, said housing means having a two-part construction comprising a case and a closure member, said case having an open end, side walls and a closed end wall having a plurality of openings formed therein for receiving said core plungers of said plurality of solenoid units whereby said core plungers are movable relative thereto, and said closure member being secured to said case to close said open end thereof and having a plurality of openings formed therein for receiving said terminal means of said plurality of solenoid units whereby said terminal means are externally accessible to enable electrical connections to be made thereto. 6. The multicoil solenoid assembly as set forth in claim wherein said case and closure member are each formed of magnetic metal material whereby said housing means comprises the magnetic circuit for all of said plurality of solenoidunits.

7. The multicoil solenoid assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said plurality of solenoid units consist of eight solenoid units arranged in two parallel rows of four each whereby said terminal means and said core plungers of said eight solenoid units positioned in one of the two parallel rows are staggered relative to said terminal means and said core plungers of said eight solenoid units positioned in the other ofv the two parallel rows thereof.

8. The multicoil solenoid assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said case includes a flange portion extending outwardly perpendicularly from said case and having a pair of spaced openings formed therein employable for mounting the multicoil solenoid assembly to a support. 

1. A multicoil solenoid assembly comprising: a. a plurality of solenoid units each operable to cause a switching function to occur and each including a coil having terminal means formed thereon and a core plunger supported in said coil for movement relative thereto between a first operating position when said coil is energized and a second operating position when said coil is deenergized whereby performance of the switching function is controlled through movement of said core plunger; and b. a common housing means having a pair of end walls between which said plurality of solenoid units are supported together as a unit with said plurality of solenoid units being mechanically and electrically independent of each other and with said terminal means of said plurality of solenoid units passing through one of said pair of end walls of said housing means whereby to be externally accessible to enable electrical connections to be made to said terminal means and with said core plunger of said plurality of solenoid units passing through and being movable relative to the other of said pair of end walls of said housing means.
 2. The multicoil solenoid assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plurality of solenoid units consists of eight solenoid units arranged in two rows of four each whereby said terminal means and said core plungers of said eight solenoid units are arranged in a staggered pattern.
 3. The multicoil solenoid assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said housing means is of two-part construction comprising a case and a closure member each formed of a magnetic metal material whereby said housing means comprises the magnetic circuit for all of said plurality of solenoid units.
 4. The multicoil solenoid assembly as set forth in Claim 3 wherein said case includes a flange portion extending outwardly perpendicularly from said case and having a pair of spaced openings formed therein employable for mounting the multicoil solenoid assembly to a support.
 5. A multicoil solenoid assembly comprising: a. a plurality of solenoid units each operable to cause a switching function to occur and each including a coil having terminal means formed thereon and a core plunger supported in said coil for movement relative thereto between a first operating postition when said coil is energized and a second operating position when said coil is deenergized whereby performance of the switching function is controlled through movement of said core plunger; and b. a common housing means supporting said plurality of solenoid units together as a unit therein with said plurality of solenoid units being mechanically and electrically independent of each other, said housing means having a two-part construction comprising a case and a closure member, said case having an open end, side walls and a closed end wall having a plurality of openings formed therein for receiving said core plungers of said plurality of solenoid units whereby said core plungers are movable relative thereto, and said closure member being secured to said case to close said open end thereof and having a plurality of openings formed therein for receiving said terminal means of said plurality of solenoid units whereby said terminal means are externally accessible to enable electrical connections to be made thereto.
 6. The multicoil solenoid assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said case and closure member are each formed of magnetic metal material whereby said housing means comprises the magnetic circuit for all of said plurality of solenoid units.
 7. The multicoil solenoid assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said plurality of solenoid units consist of eight solenoid units arranged in two parallel rows of four each whereby said terminal means and said core plungers of said eight solenoid units positioned in one of the two parallel rows are staggered relative to said terminal means and said core plungers of said eight solenoid units positioned in the other of the two parallel rows thereof.
 8. The multicoil solenoid assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said case includes a flange portion extending outwardly perpendicularly from said case and having a pair of spaced openings formed therein employable for mounting the multicoil solenoid assembly to a support. 